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Civil Rights

Statement of Obligation

Lane County is dedicated to ensuring that all programs and services are delivered without discrimination. Lane County is committed to upholding and promoting civil rights for all individuals. We believe in fostering an inclusive community where everyone can participate freely without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or religion. This webpage outlines our compliance with civil rights laws and our commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all.


Notice of Non-Discrimination

Lane County is an applicant/recipient of federal financial assistance from multiple federal agencies. Therefore, we must ensure that we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of our programs or activities. Lane County does not discriminate in any programs, services, and activities. We adhere to federal, state, and local laws that protect individuals from discrimination, including:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d et seq., 40 C.F.R. Part 7. Under Title VI, OECRC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints alleging discrimination by applicants and recipients based on race, color, or national origin, including limited English proficiency.
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq., 40 C.F.R. Part 5. Under Title IX, OECRC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving financial assistance from the EPA.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794, 40 C.F.R. Part 7. Under Section 504, OECRC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in a program or activity receiving financial assistance from the EPA.
  • Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6101 et seq., 40 C.F.R. Part 7, Subpart F. Under the Age Discrimination Act, OECRC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on age in a program or activity receiving financial assistance from the EPA. Accepted complaints of this nature are subject to mandatory referral for mediation to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) before investigation.
  • Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, Pub. L. 92-500 § 13, 86 Stat. 903 (codified as amended at 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq. (1972)), 40 C.F.R. Part 7. Under Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments, OECRC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on sex involving a program or activity receiving financial assistance under the Clean Water Act.
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) - Bars employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) - Guarantees access to public services and accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.) - Prohibits age-based discrimination.
  • Executive Order 13166 - Requires meaningful access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).


Accessibility

Lane County is committed to ensuring that our facilities, programs, and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Lane County provides accessibility aids, translation, and interpretation services for all public events and vital documents free of charge upon request. We provide reasonable accommodations upon request and strive to eliminate barriers to participation. These services can be obtained by requesting them with reasonable advanced notice.


Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Lane County is committed to providing residents with fair access to County services. This includes residents with limited English skills.


Lane County’s “Limited English Proficiency Plan” requires all staff to provide free assistance to people with limited English skills. This includes translations of documents and interpreting services.


The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan requires Lane County to do the following:

  • Identify individuals who need language assistance;
  • Provide free language assistance upon request;
  • Train staff in how to best support limited English speakers;
  • Provide public notices to LEP persons notifying limited English speakers of their rights; and
  • Monitor and update the LEP plan.  


All Lane County Departments and Divisions must post language assistance notices in prominent physical locations that the public has access to and translate significant publications and communications when requested.


Compliance Responsibilities

Lane County will:

  • Implement Preventive Measures: Periodically assess and modify our programs to ensure that they are accessible and inclusive for all individuals.
  • Provide Training: Offer training for staff on civil rights laws and the importance of non-discrimination.
  • Ensure Accessibility: Provide services that are accessible to people with Limited English Proficiency and individuals with disabilities. This includes offering qualified language interpreters, translations of written materials, and culturally appropriate assistance.
  • Address Complaints: Investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination swiftly and thoroughly.


Complaint Process

Any individual may make a complaint if they believe that Lane County has discriminated against them in the provision of any service or benefit or exclusion from any program or activity because of their race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, veteran status, source of income, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Lane County also prohibits retaliation against any person who complains or participates in any investigation of discrimination.


The following options are available to you if you have concerns or complaints about services provided by Lane County or from Lane County’s practices or activities.


Informal Complaint

Lane County encourages anyone with concerns about potential failure to provide services or discrimination in providing services to first discuss the matter with the Lane County’s Civil Rights Coordinator. Individuals are not required to pursue the informal process first and may begin the formal complaint (grievance) process as their first step if preferred.


The purpose of the informal complaint process is to make a good faith effort to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently. However, the individual may ask to implement the formal process at any time during the informal resolution. If you have concerns about services provided by Lane County or Lane County’s practices, or if you would like to relay your experiences to Lane County without making a formal complaint, please contact Emily Vario at (541) 682-3728 or [email protected].  


Formal Complaint (Grievance) Procedures

If you believe that Lane County has failed to provide services or discriminated in another way based on race, color, national origin (including language), disability, sex, age, or status with respect to marriage or public assistance, you can file a grievance, in person, by mail or email with Emily Vario, (541) 682-3728 or [email protected]. The Grievance Procedure provides a process for filing a timely formal complaint to the proper authority at Lane County and describes the process that will be used to investigate and resolve the complaint. The procedures do not apply to administrative actions that are being pursued in another forum.


If you would like to file a complaint, you may complete and return the fillable Civil Rights Form. Further instructions are on the form. If you have questions contact the Civil Rights Coordinator via the information listed above.


The grievance process also applies to subrecipients of federal funding; formal grievances may be submitted to Lane County related to subrecipients of federal funding. Formal grievances related to other subrecipients of federal funding may be submitted to federal agencies directly; please contact the nondiscrimination coordinator for more information.

Complete the Complaint Form online HERE in English

Complete el Formulario de Queja en línea AQUÍ en español

在此处用西班牙语在线填写投诉表


You can also send the completed form to the Civil Rights Coordinator, by mail or email to:

Emily Vario
Civil Rights Coordinator
125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
[email protected]


If you prefer, you can also submit your complaint by calling the Civil Rights Coordinator, Emily Vario, directly at (541) 682-3728.


All complaints must be filed as soon as practicable, or at least within 180 days of the occurrence of the alleged act. Complaints filed beyond this period may be dismissed unless there is good cause for the delay.


Investigation Process

  • Initial Review: Upon receiving your complaint, our staff will evaluate it for completeness and determine if it falls within our jurisdiction.
  • Notification: You will be notified within 15 business days to verify the complaint was received. You will also be notified if your complaint has been accepted or if additional information is needed.
  • Investigation: If accepted, an investigation will be conducted, and you may be asked to provide further details. Several County personnel may be involved in the investigation process, including the Civil Rights Coordinator, the Director of the involved department, the County Equity Officer, and the County Administrator or Assistant County Administrator.
  • Resolution: Once the investigation is complete, you will receive a written response from the Civil Rights Coordinator stating the findings and appropriate options for resolution, if any. Lane County will make every effort to investigate all such complaints within 60 days, subject to the availability of staff and technical analysis required. Lane County will notify you if an extension of time is necessary. 


What else you should know

All complaints must include the person's name and enough contact information for Lane County to reach the person. Each complaint must also include a detailed description of the specific issues and circumstances of the alleged discrimination.

This complaint process does not deny or limit your right to file a formal complaint with an outside enforcement agency (e.g. the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries - BOLI, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - EEOC, U.S. Department of Justice) or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination.


Retaliation by Lane County staff or any subrecipient involved in a complaint is strictly prohibited. Lane County will promptly and fully investigate any allegations of retaliation.


If you withdraw your complaint or do not respond to multiple requests for information, Lane County may dismiss the complaint.


Contact Us

For more information on civil rights compliance or to report discrimination, please reach out to the Civil Rights Coordinator, Emily Vario, (541) 682-3728, [email protected].